New AeroAce must-have accessory

[Mike Taylor]

There was an indoor event in Simi last night. I got a very grainy photo of something I had never seen before... The carrier is over 6' long, and has a catapult to launch the AA's into action. Sorry for the poor picture quality; I'll get pictures in the day later if anyone is interested.

[bemmermazda]

nice.
did it work well?

[UAVPilot]

How hard was it to land on?

[NitroCharged]

Looks like fun :)

[Mike Taylor]

Oh, yeah, it launched them just fine. Landing on it has been a challenge, though ;)

[Doc Holliday]

LMAO you guys crack me up with these aero aces. Yeah I've got 3 and yes they are fun but you guys are over the top :D

[Gwydioan]

The Aero Ace aircraft carrier shown by Mike Taylor was built by my wife and me. It is a 1:72 scale model (9' 8" long) of the Lexington (CV-2) as she was in 1928 (when she carried bi-planes). The aircraft carrier disassembles and folds. In its folded state it fits easily in the trunk or backseat of a car.

We have brought the carrier to the last 2 meeting of the indoor flying group that meets in Simi Valley California. Although landing on it is not easy, several people have been able to land AAs (and other slow flyers) on it (one kid was able to land on it almost every try). The catapult works very well and most people who tried it were able to do a successful launch on the first or second try.

Attached is a picture of an AA flying immediately after launch. If people are interested, I can post more pictures and/or construction details.

[Mike Taylor]

Thanks for posting a better picture. Across the gym, it really did look like old Navy footage of planes lifting off the deck.

[micro_builder]

that is pretty cool looking, more pictures would be excellent. the catapult spring loaded?

nice action shots too.

nick

[relaxr]

Thats so far the coolest thing on AAs. Dont you build some AA-Corsairs or color at least a squadron AAs in navy blue ? :D

Bya

[Gwydioan]

Here are some more pictures of the carrier. The first 2 photos show the toy that I converted into the catapult (a 99¢ Store find). The next 2 photos show pilot’s eye views of the carrier. The final photo in this series shows the carrier disassembled.

[CaptEvo]

Lol... schweeet

[HACK]

Here's another picture. I fully intend to attempt some landings next month!

(With clearance, of course)

[widgeteer]

Yes, I am over the top. 'If A-A's are wrong, I don't want to be right' Good learning tool while getting something else to gether. Like bit car conversions

[Lone Yankee]

Now if you can mutate that flattop with an RC conversion you can send the AA on missions behind enemy lines by water!

-LY

[chuxtruk]

Gwydioan,
Really cool. I've been using a piece of cardboard, about 2x6 feet. I lay it in the driveway, and practice landings. The launcher is REALLY the icing on the cake. Maybe the next step should be to put it in the pool!!
Chuck

[may-day]

this calls for flybobs mutt :)

[Amy Tobol]

Thats so far the coolest thing on AAs. Dont you build some AA-Corsairs or color at least a squadron AAs in navy blue ? :D

Bya
Thank you! <3 The Lex was launching biplanes in 1928. Corsairs came much later. But I think you have the right idea. Gwydioan and I should paint our Aero Aces in period Navy colors.

Here's another picture. I fully intend to attempt some landings next month!

(With clearance, of course)
Clearance Granted.

Here's an Aero Ace launch taking place, while Hack takes the picture he just posted.

[HACK]

Here's a small video of my friends Mini R/C flying boat making like a torpedo and taking on the LEX.


R/C Boat vs. LEX (http://bp-power.com/indoor/rcboat-vs-carrier-1.wmv)

HACK

[Gwydioan]

I will be bringing the Lexington to the next SIMI INDOOR FLYERS event:

EVENT DATE: June 24, saturday, 7:30pm-10:30pm Inside Gym

Site is: Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center 5005 Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, 93063, near Stearns Street. Exit 118 Fwy at Stearns Street, go south around 3 blocks, right on Los Angeles, and then around a half block on the right side.

There is no charge to fly or watch.

[schuh007]

Check out the cheap 2-ch planes at raidentech.com, they have what looks like a Ju greman bomber and some regional airliners, all under $40

[Sirion]

LY: All Navy pilots should have one. Send it to the Gulf. :)

[EP_Heli]

That is really cool. I've been toying with the idea of making a plywood runway that I could take apart and store inside. The only problem is that though I am a fine AA pilot, my landings leave a lot to be desired. I'm much better at it in 1:1 scale aircraft. ;)

[Mike Taylor]

I've tried hitting that 'carrier' deck, and it will make you humble (certainly), and eventually, a better pilot (probably)...

[Torx]

that is RADDD!! oh man, reminds me of that huge lego carrier

[Ricomon]

I have just the AeroAce for the carrier! ...well, had. I've gone through a few.
By the way, I've made a landing that makes a carrier landing look easy. I'm nearly blind, but I landed a Picco-Z heli on a ceiling fan across the room. (Yup, the fan was off.) Unfortunately, it was pure luck. I thought I was getting too closu to the fan, so I cut the throttle.

Rick

[EP_Heli]

That Navy AA is pretty cool, but I've always thought that the AA with it's lower wings removed looked a lot like the Republic Twin Bee. The Navy actually used the single engine version (which had a pusher prop) in the 1940's. Or at least I think they did because I've seen a few examples painted in Navy colors.

This page has pics of both: http://www.seabee.info/

P.S. If I can ever afford my own plane, the Seabee is in my top 10. ;)

P.P.S. just did some research... the USN never used the Republic Seabee. I guess the ones I've seen painted in Navy colors were painted as such just for fun. I still want one.

[Mike Taylor]

Oh, Ricomon, ( Quick, before somebody notices! Look close at your docs! I think you put the motors on backwards!)

[Ricomon]

EP Heli,
I have always liked the Seabee, but I never noticed the similarity to the AeroAce. I might have to do that one next.

Mike Taylor,
So that's why I keep crashing. I thought it was a canard with tractor props, so I kept launching tail first. Therefor, instead of putting the motors on backwards, I must have put the motors on right, but I put the rest of the plane on backwards. That will be much more work to fix. :D

Rick

[Bugman Jeff]

That's really neat :D If you really want to get crazy, find a cheap RC truck to mount under it so you can sail around the gym :)

If you want to go extra nuts, you could rig 4 of those launcher guns with servos and use a 4ch TX to launch them while the captain steers.

[planelover93]

instead of AAs try the new plantraco Zero.

[msnyder]

Hrmmm, well, if you can document that a Zero ever landed
on an American carrier... ;-)

[Edit, thinking fast] I mean on the deck, on its wheels,
and without exploding! ;-)

[Sirion]

Banzai! :) :D

[flyin C]

That is way cool!

I live in simi, and go to the indoor fly ins at the Rex center, do you still go there?

[spektrumdss]

Oh Brother.Nuff said.

[nitebat]

Folks:

Great Aircraft Carrier! A raised portable runway is a great idea for indoor flight. I get one night a week at a big indoor space and use a landing four steps up to shorten my takeoff.

For out doors, I use a 6 foot X 3 foot piece of paneling raised about a foot off the ground. If you take off into the wind, it's more then long enough. I have a piece of trim across the "bow" to bump the plane into the air. I do have landing gear on the Sport which makes take off without a catapult... but landing is more difficult. When I work out a reliable Tail hook, I'll let you know.

nitebat

[Mike Taylor]

That is way cool!

I live in simi, and go to the indoor fly ins at the Rex center, do you still go there?

Next meeting is this Saturday the 20th, also in Nov on the 17th, and again Dec 15th. See you there (I'm the old fart with the imaginary friends :rolleyes: )

[spektrumdss]

Nah,You guys just live in some wierd zone, :p Probably directly opposite to the side of the earth Kyoshos testing site was. Space time continuem is warped allowing you guys to fly the Minium with absolutly no cut-outs. :eek: Too bad the rest of the world is different. :confused: :rolleyes:

[caeman]

So...is the aircraft carrier RC, as well? *grin*

[Mike Taylor]

No, the carrier isn't R/C'd. It belongs to a neighbor, and we have suggested that to him, but so far, no joy....

[flyin C]

I am that young guy (15) who was there at the last meeting. I was flying that red Hyperflea wing (in my blog).

I just found out I can't come tomorrow ! Dang it, this is the one thing I always look forward to.